Episode 479: Return to the Demonic Sect

The carriage rolled into a bustling city, teeming with people and vibrant marketplaces. It wasn’t quite as vast as the Infinite City, but it was lively enough to rival it.

Mae Seol-ran gazed out the window, taking in the passing scenery with a long, deep breath. After a good cry, she felt a sense of relief, as if she’d shed an old skin. She had no idea how long she had sobbed in Sabi-gang’s arms, but once the tears started, they seemed endless, and the waves of longing refused to ebb.

She missed Baek Gong-bo, who would bicker with her over who was better, and Seol Su-min, with whom she shared a sibling-like bond. She longed for Do Bi-cheon, who boasted of his martial arts, and Jin Jo-young, who was always full of himself. But after pouring all those feelings into her tears, her heart felt lighter.

It was as if she had finally come to terms with those who had left. Exaggerating a bit, she felt as if she had been reborn.

Letting go of herself—she finally understood what that meant. After taking a break, she found new strength. The strength to fight against those who had taken her loved ones away forever. Just as Sabi-gang had said, she found the courage to shoulder a greater burden.

Mae Seol-ran clenched her fists tightly. “Alright, bring it on. I’ll become stronger and fight back!”

Sabi-gang glanced at her and joked, “You look like you’re ready to smash everything to pieces.”

“Oh, it’s not like that,” Mae Seol-ran stammered, flustered.

Sabi-gang chuckled. “Just kidding. But remember, not everything can be solved with force.”

“Of course. But I won’t be afraid anymore. I’ll focus on solutions rather than worries. And I’ll walk the path before me, step by step.”

“That’s a good attitude.”

“This place is really crowded. If a big fight breaks out here, a lot of people could get hurt.”

“See, you’re already thinking about smashing things.”

“I told you, that’s not it!”

“Hahaha!”

Sabi-gang laughed heartily. Mae Seol-ran’s flushed, embarrassed face seemed especially endearing today.

Meanwhile, the carriage came to a stop in front of a shabby pavilion. The streets they had passed were dazzling, but this area looked like a neighborhood of struggling merchants, with its worn and dilapidated buildings.

[We’ve arrived, Master.]

Hong Yeom, sitting in the driver’s seat, sent a message. Sabi-gang and Mae Seol-ran stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the signboard of the pavilion.

“Universal Cure-All.”

The sign was as blatant as they come, perfectly matching the vibe of a cheap herbal shop you’d find in any market.

As they entered, a hunchbacked old man glanced at them. He seemed momentarily surprised, not by Sabi-gang, but by Mae Seol-ran. Her beauty was striking, especially for someone visiting such a rundown herbal shop. Her martial prowess had only enhanced her looks.

The old man quickly regained his composure and asked indifferently, “Looking for something?”

“Is this the herbal shop that martial artists favor?” Sabi-gang asked, feigning ignorance.

The hunchbacked old man smirked and pointed to the sign. “Didn’t you see the sign?”

“Anyone can hang a sign.”

“Hmph! If you don’t trust it, you can leave.”

He was a merchant with nerves of steel. Sabi-gang silently examined the herbs and medicines on display. They were ordinary, the kind you’d find in any apothecary.

As Sabi-gang and Mae Seol-ran lingered, the hunchbacked old man, who had been watching them with a hint of discomfort, asked again, “You don’t seem to be from a clinic. Is something wrong?”

“I’m looking for a universal cure-all, the kind martial artists prefer.”

At Sabi-gang’s words, the old man’s eyes gleamed. Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted from all directions.

Mae Seol-ran tensed and subtly gathered her inner strength. “They’re no ordinary people. I didn’t notice them until now.”

They must be masters of concealment. But Sabi-gang seemed aware of their presence, a faint smile playing on his lips.

As he released his own aura, the old man and the hidden figures’ breathing faltered.

Sabi-gang continued, “Can we see the goods?”

”…Ahem. Please wait a moment.”

The hunchbacked old man stood up, opened a side door, and disappeared down a corridor. As he left, the oppressive aura surrounding Sabi-gang and Mae Seol-ran intensified, as if daring them to withstand it.

After a while, the old man returned, bowing politely. “Please, come inside.”

His demeanor had completely changed. Sabi-gang and Mae Seol-ran nodded and followed him down the corridor.

At the end, the old man pressed a hand against the wall, and with a heavy rumble, a hidden staircase leading downward was revealed. Unlike the shabby pavilion above, the walls of the staircase were studded with expensive luminous pearls, brightly illuminating the way.

Beyond the iron door at the bottom, another locked door awaited, guarded by a hulking man with a fierce gaze.

“What an impressive aura,” Mae Seol-ran thought, impressed. The man wasn’t just large; his inner strength was profound.

“They’re guests,” the hunchbacked old man said. The hulking man bowed and stepped aside, his demeanor respectful but his aura razor-sharp. This must be an important area.

As the iron door opened, a rich herbal scent wafted out, clearing the mind with its mere presence. Inside, a simple table stood, and beyond it sat an elderly woman with a face full of wrinkles.

“Welcome,” she said politely. Sabi-gang glanced around before speaking.

“I’m here to buy a universal cure-all.”

“I’ve heard of your reputation, Master Sabi-gang. It’s an honor to meet you in person,” the old woman said, her words making Mae Seol-ran inwardly marvel. In that brief moment, they had uncovered Sabi-gang’s identity.

Sabi-gang got straight to the point. “Sell it.”

“How much do you need?”

“All of it.”

The old woman’s eyes widened slightly. To buy all the precious elixirs at once?

She chuckled softly. “You may not realize how much we have stored here…”

“That doesn’t matter. The more, the better.”

The old woman’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Is that so?”

With a faint smile, she replied, “If you want it all… it will be five billion nyang.”

Her words made Mae Seol-ran and even the hunchbacked old man flinch. He hadn’t expected the owner of the apothecary to demand five billion. It was a steep price, likely set high for negotiation, but still outrageous.

Sabi-gang chuckled. The old woman, curious about his response, asked again, “Will you buy it? If it’s too expensive, you could adjust the quantity…”

“I’ll buy it.”

This time, both the old woman and the hunchbacked old man turned to Sabi-gang with wide eyes. Mae Seol-ran, too, looked at him in shock.

“Does he really have that kind of money?” she wondered.

But Sabi-gang wasn’t finished. “However, I won’t pay a single penny.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll take it all for free.”

”……!”

”……!”

A heavy silence fell over the room, and murderous intent erupted from all sides.

Finally, the old woman covered her mouth and laughed. “They say Master Sabi-gang is eccentric, and the rumors are true.”

“Think what you will.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not possible. There are ten supreme masters hidden here, and the place is rigged with traps. More importantly…”

The old woman gestured around the small room. “Does it look like there are elixirs here? The herbal scent is artificially created. That’s easy enough. But only I know where the elixirs are stored. Moreover, they can only be retrieved by activating a mechanism, which only I know how to operate. Breaking or bypassing it would take over six months. I assure you.”

She spoke calmly, as if she had nothing to lose. Sabi-gang smirked.

“Let me make you a better offer.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I’ll spare your life.”

“Are you threatening to kill me if I don’t agree?”

The old woman remained defiant. Sabi-gang was from the Justice Alliance. If they ignored their principles and stole the elixirs, they would lose the martial world’s support. More importantly, if she died, the elixirs would be lost forever. Sabi-gang couldn’t kill her.

But Sabi-gang twisted his lips and said, “Why would I kill you? You’re essential to me. I’m saying I’ll let you live.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Let’s call off today’s deal…”

“The Demonic Sect will soon invade.”

The old woman frowned slightly.

“That’s impossible.”

The location had only been discreetly leaked to the Jeongdomeng faction.

It was done so secretly that there was concern even they might not notice.

But the demons had already caught on?

“If you’re trying to make some pathetic threat…”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a fact. I leaked your location.”

Suddenly, the air was so thick with tension it was hard to breathe.

‘Is he out of his mind?’

The old woman didn’t believe a word Sabi Kang said.

Wasn’t he essentially digging their own graves?

Meanwhile, Maeseollan finally understood the conversation between Sabi Kang and Hongyeom.

“What about the other side?”

“I leaked it there too.”

At the time, she hadn’t understood what he meant…

‘So that’s what he meant.’

The old woman felt a sense of foreboding as she looked into Sabi Kang’s eyes.

‘If what he says is true…’

Is he truly insane?

Clinging to a thread of hope, the old woman spoke.

“Ha, do you think the demons need elixirs? They don’t even know how to use them…”

“The Jonya of the Demon Sect summoned them. At the very least, Jonya knows how powerful these elixirs can be for martial artists.”

In other words, even if the demons don’t use them, they won’t just leave such powerful elixirs for others.

“Ugh.”

As the old woman groaned, Sabi Kang spoke.

“Make your choice wisely. Will you save your life, your money, or achieve complete detachment?”

Just then, a heavy rumble shook the floor and ceiling, causing dust to fall.

The door burst open, and a burly man shouted.

“We’re under attack!”

“What?”

The old woman’s gaze flicked from Sabi Kang to the burly man.

“Who are they?”

Another man rushed down the stairs, urgently reporting.

“It’s the demons! They’ve invaded!”

“This is insane…!”

She couldn’t tell if she was referring to the demons or Sabi Kang.

Watching her confusion, Sabi Kang gave a wicked smile.

“Shall we renegotiate?”